AN MP is calling for an investigation into a talent show launched in Glasgow.
Gordon Marsden, Labour MP for Blackpool South, has raised a motion at Westminister expressing "deep concern" about the running of Festival for Stars Talent Search UK Ltd, which got under way at Barrowland on Sunday.
It follows claims that dozens of children who competed at last year's grand final in singing, dancing and songwriting events did not receive promised prizes, contracts and gigs.
Prizes included £25,000, the chance to dance with rapper Example in Abu Dhabi, a meet-and-greet with Little Mix and a dancing slot at Disneyland Paris.
However, parents say none of the prizes has materialised. A Facebook page set up by parents has been bombarded with messages.
The event, which has been running for several years, was taken over by businessman Nicholas Pamment last year.
A solicitor acting on behalf of Mr Pamment said he was in the process of arranging alternative prizes for last year's winners.
Parents who took their children to this year's Glasgow launch described the event as "shambolic" with young children enduring "freezing" temperatures because of poor heating in the venue.
Youngsters who won heats were promised chocolate eggs and jewellery but were later told by Mr Pamment the prizes had been "stolen".
Tara Jane, who runs Teesside-based Puma Cheerleaders, said: " We were first taken into a dark dingy room.
"We spoke to Nick saying it was not suitable due to size and health and safety so half an hour later we were moved to the ballroom which was like the arctic.
"The singing waiting room again had no heat. To get a drink we had to go outside.
"Nick announced that all the chocolate eggs and jewellery had been stolen so there were no prizes but that we could leave our address for a certificate to be posted out at a later date.
"One of my mums offered to go to Morrisons to get eggs but an hour later we were handed a carrier bag of cream eggs to hand round.
"He then announced he had a special heart necklace for my two-year-old who danced but that he couldn't find it. The spectator tickets were a piece of fluorescent card with no writing or markings on."
Mr Marsden's Westminster motion "urges Trading Standards and other regulatory agencies to investigate the serious allegations being made about Festival for Stars Talent Search UK Ltd".
Robert Gamson, Mr Pamment's solicitor, said it was carrying out a "rolling program" to compensate prize winners using the profits of this year's show.
caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk
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